The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-06-15
THE PRINCESS LILIUoKALANI
Tells About the Women of Her own
Nation and What They Are Doing.
Boston Globe, May 15th.l


Queen, has been spending the past week il
Boston, is a large, agnificent-lookine
woman, with all the stately graciousness Of
movement and manner that we have
always imagined as belonging to that
royalty which republican eyes so seldom
see. She has clear, brown skin, very wavy
black hair, sprinkled with gray, and
knotted in simple fashion high on her head
earnest dark eyes, and a rare but Very
pleasant smile that lighted up an other
wise thoughtful, even serious, face.
She dressed in exquisite taste, seeming to
have that instructive knowledge of what
to put on" as we Americans say. She
wore no ornaments ordinarily, save a few
rings, and when dressed for the evening in
a trailing black velvet gown cut with no
sleeves, and a square corsage that showed
her magnificent arms and neck, yelled by
little soft lace-it was difficult to repress
an exclamation of admiration.
An American woman could not fail to
look at her with feelings of the most in
tense curiosity. The sister of the King,
and heir-presumptive to the throne of that
distant island nation, which two genera
tons ago was sunk i'll savagery-the ques-
ton that naturally arose in each mind
was, what could such woman be like.
After seeing her every day for week,
and after several long talks with her and
with intimate friends about her, | feel that
l have sufficient ground for my opinion
that
SHE is ROYAL WOMAN
In every sense of the word, an unusually
intelligent and talented woman, and one
who realizes to the full the privileges, the
opportunities and the duties of her high
position. Both herself and the Queen are
doing all they can to elevate the women of
her own nation, and when she learned tina
/ was especially interested in this subject
and would like to tell the readers of the
"Woman's Hour" about it, she gladly
talked with me for a long time on this
special topic. Her English is faultless, and
she speaks in a SOFT rich tone that is very
pleasant to hear.
Il wish very much to know if the
women of your people have imbibed at all
the modern spirit of independence, and if
they have ideas of supporting themselves,
and perhaps others ?" was the first ques-
ton
"Oh, yes; many of our women earn their
living if left widows or orphans in reduced
just as your women do"
What sort of work do they do2"
Many of them sew and do embroidery,
or manufacture various small articles for
use or ornament For instance, these
i'lei'' Qay-ee), or necklaces of small
made like those of the rare 90
are now made in great quantities
out of the dyed plumage of white chickens
by young women, who make a livelihood
by selling them. They sell for S. pair
and we who are interested in women's
work help by collecting feathers for them.
Then many women collect and sell curiosi-
ties; and two young ladies in Honolulu
make livelihood by collecting and press
ing the native ferns, which they sell
upon cards."
Have any of the native women become
teachers 2''
"Oh, yes, many of the graduates of our
.eminaries have become instructors in our
schools"
will you tell me about your schools
Ind how your girls are educated?"
ave have a system OF public schools !
ike yours here in America They are
graded in the cities and ungraded in the !
country districts. Boys and girls are both |
,aught in these schools, and then we have !
many excellent private seminaries as
we'll
WE HAVE TWO EDUCATIONAL SOCIETIES,
One for the poorer classes and one for the
II. IL
les contribute towards a common fund,
which is invested in the bank, and out of
which We educate the children of people
Who are poor and not able to do this
themselves. By this means we often save
hese young people from lives of hardship
md temptation even, and place them
lnder the pure influences of the semi
laries."
"How do you select what children shall
'e thus cared for9"
"a great many of them are brought to
'ur notice through the Ho-o-u-lu La-hu-i
society"
Her description of the workings of this
ociety, of which the Queen is the Presi-
ent shows it to be on the same general
rinciple as our associated charity organi-
atoms. 1t is composed of women, and
heir work is to help the sick and needy,
whatever age, sex or class. They have
earned already the truly charitable prin-
iple, and though the sick and those in alb
Olute need are helped at once, yet in every
ossible case they give mot. aims, but
lend" and with sympathy, encourage
tent and advice, they help them to help
lemselves. There are two branches be-
des the main society, of which the Prin-
,ss Liliuokalani is the head of one, while
lie other was managed by her recently
eceased sister, the Princess Likellke.
The Ladies Mutual Benevolent Society
another admirable work. The Princess
at the head of this, and there are at
resent so members. Each member con-
ibutes S. per month into the funds of
e society, which are invested and are to
drawn out only in cases of great need
Jour PEOPLE ABE sPENDTHRIFTs,"
i'd the Princess. Hardly any of them
: say they have saved 500. They give
ray everything; they live from hand to
outh, as you say. They will spend all
cir money on an hours pleasure. like
ildren, with no thought for the future.